Response of stem amaranth to different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

Abstract

Abstract : The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) during March 2008 to July 2008 to determine the optimum rate of N, P and K. for better stem growth and seed yield of amaranth. The amaranth genotype SA040 was used as test crop for the study. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications having five levels of N (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha'1), five levels of P (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha1) and five levels of K (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha1). The highest stem yield (105.51 t ha1), was yield attributes, were found with the application of 150 kg N, 25 kg P and 50 kg K ha*1. Maximum seed yield (4.66 t ha'1) was found by the application of 100 kg N, 50 kg P and 50 kg K ha-1. The response regression curve suggest that 165.5 kg N, 64.4 kg P and 52.04 kg K ha'1 and 168 kg N, 55 kg P, 58.5 kg K ha-1 are optimum for higher stem and seed yield of amaranth, respectively. A positive linear relationship between stem weight /plant and stem diameter, and a negative linear relationship between dry matter content with the stem yield were observed.